Spraying apparatus



y 1952 D. s. HENRY 2,602,695

SPRAYING APPARATUS Filed March 25, 1949 hr INVENTOF? David fiflfinry ATTORNEY y 8, 1952 I D. s. HENRY 2,602,695

SPRAYING APPARATUS Filed March 25, 1949 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 INVENTOR am 8. Ty.

ATTORNEY Patented July 8, 1952 UNITED STATES ATEENT OFFICE V 7 2 ,602,695

sPaAYING APPARATUS Dayid -S.--Henry, WaHingford, Conn.

, Application Mass 25, 1949, s'er'ial noess-ns'o This invention relates to spraying apparatus and more particularly to such; apparatus especially adapted for spraying trees, such as fruit trees set out inrows inanorchard.

Due to the-use'of high pressure spraying equipment the manualholding of'spray-n'ozzles'is particularly Iaborsome requiring occasional stoppage for recuperation of the operator'thu's causing loss in time. When spraying tree's set out in rows; as in an orchard, it is nec'e'ssary'tomove thespray nozzle, or nozzles up and down, as'wel l assidewise, and to direct the spray with the direction of the wind, toinsure an even spread of the sprayed material upon each tree. In large orchards the spraying equipment is usually mounted on a truckand-h'as a plurality of'nozzies arranged in alignment toobtain the desired volume of spray material directedtow'ard' and upon the trees asthe' truck is driven along side the row of trees; The'back pressure-upon'the nozzle holding; frame"; due to the" high pressure used, makes it difi'icult'" for the" operator to properly direct the spra'y material upon and about each tree.

To obviatethe"above disadvantages it is" proposed a's'an object of this invention to provide spray apparatus embodying the features and principles of this invention whereby the tiring effect of thema'nipulation" of the'sprayi nozzle, in

directing the" spray, will be reducedtoa'minimum.

Another object isito'provide'inspray apparatus means to properly dispose the spray nozzles in a desired-direction and'in'suoh amanner that the back pressure on the nozzles" will be absorbed by partsof' the spray apparatusra'ther than bythe operator. Stillanothef object is to provide a. spray ap paratus. of the above nature wherein means'is provided tor'eleas'alal-y"lockthe spray nozzlesin the desired position. 7

A further object is to provide an improved spray, apparatus which" will be relatively. inexpensive to manufacture-,sirnpleiin construction, compact, and very efficient and durable" inu'se;

With these and other objects view; which will appear as thedese'r'iption ro ds th'erehas been illustrated,v in the accompa .ing 'drawing's, one form of spray apparatusiin which thefe'a'tures and principles of this invention ma be conveniently andpractically embodied;

In the drawings:

Figureil is a frontelevational" view of "the spray apparatus embodying'the. features andlprineiples of this invention;

4 Claims. (Cl. 299-39) Figure 2 is atop plan view of thesame;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view partly in section on line S -3 of Figure 1 Figures 4': and: 5" are enlarged'top plan-and side views, respectively, of" a" releasable catch, or'locking means, used with the apparatus of this invention, and forminga part thereof Figure 6' is-an enlarged front' face view of releasable catch, or locking mechanism" used with the spray apparatusofthis' invention and forming a p'artthereofg;

Figure 'l'is a crossesectional view of -the mechanism shown in Figure"v 6" taken on the 1ine-1 '-1 of Figured;

Figure 8 is a top planview'o'f; the mechanism shown in Figure 6' looking'ini the direction of arrow8 in Figure 6 and Figure 9- is an enlarged side view, partly in section, of the spray'nozzleholding frame and controLvalvef'forthenozzles.

Referring now to: the drawings wherein like reference numerals designatelikeparts'throughoutthe several vietvathenumeral Ildenotes a tank containing a supply of spray: material, such as a fluid insecticide, and 'which is preferably mounted upona trucle- (not' shown) which" may be driven, or drawrrbetween rows oft'rees; A platform 1-2 is preferably provided uponthe'tank H to support the spray'apparatus of thisunvention I and a pipe l 3' niayleadupwardlyfrom the tank H, or'from a pump niechanism' (not-shown) to provide a passage for spray materialunder pressure from the sourc oi supply in"- the" tank ll to the spray apparatiisof this invention".

The spray apparatus of-this invention includes a plurality of spray nozzles 14} a-lthoughonly one nozzle may be useddesired} extendingioutwardly from apipe I5 which is -co-nnected by'a pipe 1" lG -and a close-'nipple 'l 'lfto a valve casing 18, thevalve casingdnthi's-i 4 stance being-a stand" ard pipe coupling. I"i-1'e valv casing 8 is-c'on nected by a-c1ose nipple I Q -to' a; pipe c'r o'ss 2|; which cross is i inturn connected to a; length of pipe 22-. The length of-pipe 2 l is disposed in alignment with the valve casing IB' ea'ch eXtend ing from opposite sides of 'thepipecross'Z IZ The outer end of the length of pipe 22 is adapted-to serve as a supportfor an internally threadedisleeve 23 which is screvv'edthe'reir ito". A valve-centrol rod 24' extends froin a handleif) and' is screwed into and through the sleeve 23% and extends through the length of pipe 22 thepipe' cross-2 f and has a valvehea-d 26f seerisureegupeaits inner end. The va'lve" head-2 5?is adapted tdseat upon the" inner end of the close nipple toclose the entrance to the pipe I5 and nozzles I4 from the pipe cross 2I, and thus to control the amount of fluid passing through the cross 2l into and out of, said nozzles I4, by proper rotative manipulation of the handle 25.

The pipe cross 2| has a short nipple 21 extending from each side thereof, each of which is connected to a standard pipe swivel 28. The swivels 28 allow thenozzles I4 to be swung by the handle 25, in averticalplane, on a horizontal axis at the cross 2| whereby spray therefrom may be directed from the bottom to the top of a tree. A curved pipe portion 29 extends from each swivel 28 to a pipe T 3|. The pipe T 3| is connected by a short nipple 32 to a standard pipe swivel 33. The swivel 33 allows the looped pipe frame, constituted by the curved pipe portions 29, to be swung with the nozzles I4 by the handle 25, in a horizontal plane, on a vertical axis at the swivel 33. A short pipe nipple 34 connects the swivel 33 to a pipe connector 35, which, in turn is connected to a pipe 36.

The pipe 36 has an upper portion 3! which is substantially vertical, an intermediate portion 38 which has reverse bends therein to dispose a lower substantially vertical portion 39 spaced inwardly from the upper portion 31. The lower pipe portion 39 is connected to a standard pipe swivel 4I so as to swing sidewise on a vertical axis. The swivel 4| is connected to a connector 42 which has a short length of pipe, or bar, 43 extending downwardly therefrom and in alignment therewith. A standard pipe swivel 44 is connected to and extends outwardly from the connector 42, and is disposed on a horizontal axis whereby the pipe 36 with the nozzles I4 may be swung in a vertical plane on the axis of the swivel 44. The pipe I3 from the tank II may be connected to the swivel 44 in any desired manner, a bent pipe 45, a pipe union 46, a pipe section 41, and a pipe union 48 being shown in the drawings, for this purpose. I

The spray apparatus of this invention also includes means to support the spray nozzles I4, and the various parts above referred to whereby these nozzles may be swung to various directions while being connected to the supply of spray material in the tank II. The support for the nozzles and the parts associated therewith comprises a vertically disposed framework composed of vertical corner angle bars, or uprights, 5| connected at their lower ends to the platform I2 and connected together at their upper ends by side cross bars 52 and 53 and front and rear cross bars 54 and 55 respectively. The pipe section 4! is secured to one of the uprights 5! by welding. Adjacent the lower end of the framework, angle, or like bars 56, extending between each pair of the upright bars 5|, support a floor 51. A horizontally disposed channel bar 58 extends between the front upright bars 5| intermediate the front cross bar 54 and the floor 51, the flanges 59 of the channel bar 58 being directed rearwardly, or inwardly in respect to the framework. Back resting pads 60 may be provided on the cross bars 52, 53 and 55 if desired.

The spacing between the upper pipe portion 3! and the lower pipe portion 39 is of such amount that the lower pipe portion 39 with the aligned and depending short length of pipe 43, will be disposed substantially centrally between the front pair of uprights 5I, and the upper pipe portions 31 will be in alignment with the front upright 5| toward which it may be swung (see her 58 by screws 81.

Figure 1). Catches, or like locking means, are provided to releasably retain the upper pipe portion in swung position with the nozzles I4, there being one catch provided at each front upright 5 I. Each of the catches, or locking means, comprises a base plate 6| which is seated on, and preferably Welded to, the front upright 5I and extends rearwardly on top of the adjacent side cross bar 52 or 53. The front end 62 of each plate 6| is provided with a flared mouth opening 63 in which the pipe portion 31 is received.

A latch member 64 is pivoted at 65 to the plate 6| and has a hook 66 on its front end to swing in front of the pipe portion 31 and lock it in the plate opening 63. A spring 61 secured to the latch 64 and to the plate 6| acts on the latch to constantly urge it into pipe locking position. A stop lug 68 is provided on the plate (H to limit the movement of the latch 64 in pipe locking direction, full lines in Figure 4, and another stop lug 69 is provided on the plate 6| ta limit the swinging movement of the latch 64 into pipe releasing direction, dotted lines in Figure 4, by being in the path of a latch handle II. By the use of the above described catches the pipe 36, with the nozzles I4, may be swung from the full line position to the dotted position, Figure 1, being pivoted at the swivel M, and securely locked in position.

The pipe 36 with the nozzles I4 may be swung outwardly to the dotted position I2 shown in Figure 3 using the swivel M as a pivot, and then swung downwardly into the dotted position 13 using the swivel 44 as a pivot. When in the position 13 the pipe 36 rests against a pad I4 extending upwardly and outwardly from the front face of one of angle bars 56. A spring activated hook I5 is adapted to be engaged in a loop I6 secured to the pipe 36 whereby the pipe 36 and the nozzles are releasably and firmly retained in the lowered position I3 when not in use.

Catch means is provided to releasably secure the pipe 36 and nozzles in upwardly extending position for operation thereof. This catch means comprises (see Figures 6, 7 and 8) a pair of latch members 11 and I8 disposed one above and upon the upper flange 59 of the channel 58 and one below and upon the lower flange 59 of said channel, for sliding movement therealong. Each latch member I! and I8 is provided with a longitudinally directed slat 19 open at the same end of each and positioned to receive and embrace the bar 43 extending from the connector 42 when the latches are moved in unison -in one direction, in this instance, to the right.

The channel flanges 59 are slotted as at 8I to receive and embrace the bar 43 when the pipe 36 is swung upwardly from position I3 into operable position. The latch members I1 and I8 are secured together for simultaneous movement by a handle 82 which is welded, or otherwise secured to each latch member.

Each latch member 1! and I8 has a flange 83 extending at right angles thereto and toward each other over the, outer front surface of the channel member 58. The inner and opposing edges of the flanges 83 ride on a guide bar 84 secured to the front face of the. channel member 58. A plate 85, spaced away from the front face of the channel member 58 by corner blocks 86, and overlying the flanges 83 and guide bar 84, is secured to the front face of the channel mem- Springs 88 each having an end attached to the slotted end of one latch member and the other end attached to the channel member 58 act to constantly urge the latch membersl'l and 18 into bar 03 receiving and embracing position when the bar 43 is disposed in the slots 8| in the channel member 58.

The latch members 1''? and 18 may be retracted to release the bar 43 by the use of the handle 82.

The spraying apparatus of this invention when mounted, for instance, on a truck and in connection with a source of spray material under pressure is particularly efficient for spraying trees, or the like, set in rows, such as in an orchard. All back pressure from the spray nozzles will be imposed upon the framework rather than on the operator, who thus may devote his energy in desirably directing the nozzles toward the trees to be sprayed in the row nearest the side of the framework to which the pipe 36 is locked, by proper manipulation of the handle 25 to swing the nozzles on the swivels 26 and 3 l. After traveling the length of a row of trees and having sprayed the trees on one side, of the row, the

truck may be turned to travel back along the,

same row and the pipe 36 and nozzles l4 turned on the swivel M to be locked to the other side of the framework. Due to the provision of the swivels 28 and 3|,the spray nozzles [4 have, in effect a universal movement on the pipe 36, and due to the swivels ll and 44 the pipe 36 with the nozzles 14 has a universal movement on the framework.

While there has been shown and described herein a spraying apparatus in which the features and principles of this invention may be embodied in practice, it will be understood that the same may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered'in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the claims rather than to the foregoing disclosure to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having thus fully disclosed the invention, what is claimed as new and for which it is desired to secure Letters Patent, is:

1. In spraying apparatus, a platform to support an operator, a frame extending upwardly from said platform and providing laterally spaced stations at the upper portion thereof for positioning a spray nozzle, a spray nozzle, an elongated generally upwardly directed rigid conduit having its upper end connected to said nozzle and its lower end laterally spaced withrespect to its upper end and connected to a source of spray material, a swivel connection for the lower end ofsaid conduit in fixed relationship to the frame providing for swinging movement of said conduit on a vertical axis to move said spray nozzle selectively to said nozzle-positioning stations, and releasable catch means at each station engageable with the upper portion ofsaid conduit to hold the latter from displacement.v

2. In spraying apparatus, a platform to support an operator, a frame extending upwardly from said platform and providing laterally spaced stations at the upper portion thereof for positioning a spray nozzle, a spray nozzle, an elongated generally upwardly directed rigid conduit having its lower end laterally spaced from its upper end and connected to a source of spray material, swivel means of connection between said spray nozzle and said conduit providing for swinging movement of said spray nozzle in vertical and horizontal directions, a swivel connection for the lower end of said conduit in fixed relationship to the frame providing for swinging movement of said conduit on a vertical axis to move said spray nozzle selectively to said nozzle-positioning stations, and releasable catch means at each station engageable with the upper portion of said conduit to hold the latter from displacement.

3. In spraying apparatus, a platform to support an operator, a frame extending upwardly from said platform and providing laterally spaced stations at the upper portion thereof for positioning a spray nozzle, a spray nozzle, an elongated generally upwardly directed rigid conduit having its upper end connected to said nozzle and its lower end laterally spaced with respect to its upper end and connected to a source of spray material, swivel means of connection for the lower end of said conduit in fixed relationship to the frame providing for swinging movement of said conduit on a vertical axis to move said spray nozzle selectively to said nozzle-positioning stations and providing for swinging movement of said conduit on a horizontal axis to move said nozzle to a lower and inoperative position, and releasable catch means at each of said stations engageable with the upper portion of said conduit to hold the latter from displacement.

4. In spraying apparatus, a platform to support an operator, a frame extending upwardly from said platform and generally rectangular in cross section providing two stations at adjacent corners of the frame for positioning a spray nozzle, a spray nozzle, an elongated generally upwardly directed rigid conduit having its upper end connected to said nozzle and its lower end laterally spaced from its upper end and connected to a source of spray material, a swivel connection for the lower end of said conduit intermediate said nozzle-positioning stations and adjacent said frame providing for swinging movement of said conduit on a vertical axis to move said spray nozzle selectively to said nozzle-positioning stations, and releasable catch means at each station engageable with the upper portion of said conduit to hold the latter from displacement.

' DAVID 'S. HENRY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 Number Name Date 819,602 Rupp May 1, 1906 1,042,685 Kelley Oct. 29, 1912 1,085,973 Conkling Feb. 3, 1914 1,900,837 Mills Mar. 7, 1933 2,265,063 Crumly Dec. 2, 1941 2,507,668 Hamilton et a1 May 16, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 638,676 France Feb. 27, 1928 

